Tributes were paid to the late Chief of Army Staff, Lt General Taoreed Alagbaka, who was laid to rest on Friday in Abuja.
The Frontline gallant soldier, Lagbaja, was praised for his bravery, loyalty, and service to the nation.
He was conferred a posthumous National Honor of Commander of Federal Republic (CFR) by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu during the burial ceremony.
Lagbaja, who was appointed by the President on June 19, 2023, with other Service Chiefs, died on November 5, 2024.
The remains of Lagbaja were buried at the National Military Cemetery in Abuja amidst tributes, eulogies, and a solemn guard of honor. The burial ceremony was attended by President Bola Tinubu and Nigeria’s top military leaders and government officials, who gathered to pay their last respects to the fallen hero.
The event was a culmination of a series of ceremonies held in Lagbaja’s honor, including a service of songs, which highlighted his exceptional leadership and dedication to the Nigerian Army.
Tinubu described Lagbaja as “a trusted advisor, a man of prudent action who cared about the nation and men who served under him.”
The President also described the late Army Chief as “a true soldier, a general and officer who symbolized the best of his profession and whose commitment to the nation he loved was singular and undiluted.”
Tinubu said: “He was more than I could have hoped for. He was one of my best appointments. Lieutenant General Lagbaja embodied the finest ideas of a patriot and a soldier. He had an abiding faith in the capability and readiness of our Armed Forces to save and keep us.”
President Tinubu said Lagbaja had a clear understanding of the role of the military in securing and defending our country, its people, and their hard-won constitutional democracy.
Tinubu added: “He displayed uncommon valor in the discharge of his duty and in the administration of the rank and file for he cared about their welfare and that of their families.
“Lieutenant General Lagbaja, our nation has indeed lost a regent who truly distinguished himself as a thoroughbred professional soldier.
“Throughout his military career, his legacy of service will be cherished forever. As an eternal symbol of our appreciation, I have granted the late Chief of Army Staff, the posthumous National Honor of Commander of the Federal Republic of Niger, CFR. I invite his wife, Maria, to collect the posthumous Honor of Commander of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (CFR).
“For me, he was a trusted advisor whose formidable intellect and breadth of knowledge served this nation well.”
According to Tinubu, Lagbaja was also a man of prudent action who cared more for his nation and for those who served under him than he ever did for himself.
“Yet, the hands of God work in its own sovereign way. The plans of God we cannot fully discern,” he said.
Tinubu said though his (Lagbaja’s) departure could cause great dismay, the late Lagbaja would not want sorrow to overtake us.
He said: “It has been said that the brave never die. Their courage serves a thousand living men. So be it then.
“May the courage with which Lieutenant General Lagbaja served now shine forth in each and every one of us. While we are saddened by his passing, we still celebrate his life. Thus, we must rededicate ourselves to the principles and love of the nation for which he stood.
“As such, I am filled with pride at the remarkable career of the selfless professional who gave everything for Nigeria. At a moment like this, we must look to the greater purpose and the best meaning of itself. Individually, we all are nothing but mere leaves in the wind.
“This General dedicated himself to the preservation of the house we call Nigeria. On this day, we pay tribute to the General whose story of illustrious service will be told for generations to come. For his courage, sacrifice, and leadership, Lieutenant General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja will forever reside in the pantheon of military grace. The son of a mother’s family, Lieutenant General Lagbaja was encouraged by his paternal uncle to enlist in the army.
“Enrolling in the Nigerian Army Defense Academy in 1987, he rose to the highest rank of the Nigerian Army as the Chief of Army Staff. Before his appointment, Lagbaja held several prominent positions, including General Officer Commanding of the 82 Division and 1 Division. As President and Commanding Chief of the Armed Forces, I worked closely with him.”
In his remarks, Defence Minister Mohammed Badaru said the late Chief of Army Staff embodied the core values of soldiering and served Nigeria without reservation for over 30 years.
Badaru said Labaja was not only a courageous soldier, but also an inspiring leader who led from the front, exemplifying his tedious dedication to the service of the nation.
He added that Lagbaja’s commitment was unwavering, saying he will be deeply missed by a grateful nation and the entire armed forces of Nigeria.
According to the minister, his distinguished career has made the highest standards of military honor, professionalism, and bravery.
He said: “In his final days, he fought his own battle, but we could not save him from the grasp of fate.
“We are reminded that life and death are ultimately in the hands of our maker.
“General Lagbaja’s legacy, defined by his lifelong service to defend our unsecured Nigeria, will endure as inspiration for generations to come.”
Badaru said that the commitment of the late Army Chief to the well-being of his troops extended beyond the battlefields, adding that he introduced numerous welfare initiatives to improve the lives of soldiers and enhance the Nigerian army’s structure.
According to him, his dedication to the welfare of soldiers remained a powerful testament to his leadership.
The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, in his remarks, assured President Tinubu and Nigerians that the death of the late Chief of Army Staff would propel the military to defeat all the nation’s adversaries wherever they are.
General Musa said the military would take solace in the fact that the late Army Chief lived a purposeful life, and urged the troops to use his (Lagbaja’s) death to commit themselves to the ideals he stood for.
In his message to the widow of the late Chief of Army Staff, General Musa assured that the military would always stand by her and the family.
He said: “We will not leave you alone. We know your loss is immeasurable, but please take solace in knowing that he lived a life of purpose and left behind a legacy that will never fade.
“To my fellow officers and men, let us use this moment to recommit ourselves to the ideas for which General Labaja stood for. “Let us ensure that his sacrifice and service continue to guide our steps as we defend this great nation. We are going to use his passing away to resolve further to defeat all enemies of the state, wherever they are, whether within or outside. As we lower him today into the embrace of the earth, let us raise our voices in prayer and gratitude for a life well lived.”
